Europe. “By sharing our ideas in atimely manner, we can report on bestpractices, increase participation, andhelp to make positive changes in thecommunities we call home.”Similarly, last October, HiltonWorldwide launched its new IdeasNetwork blog on the Hilton Connect+online portal. The content is dividedinto four categories, including “DoingIt All Responsibly,” which highlightsstories about CSR and green meet-ings. “This is not Hilton preaching atour customers,” said Lesley Brasesco,managing director of sales effective-ness for Hilton. “It’s really about goingout to the customer to find out who isdoing something well or better, andsharing those best practices to meetingprofessionals.”Along those lines, in January, Hiltonlaunched its Meet With Purpose initia-tive to “inspire sustainable, healthychoices for events.” By outlininggreen meeting design and sustainableF&B standards, Hilton is providingplanners with low-impact best prac-tices that they can incorporate intotheir programs, from putting waterand notepads in common areas versusat individual tables to making use ofHilton’s LightStay meeting calculator todetermine a meeting’s overall impact.“Hilton recently did research with anorganization called Mission Measure-ment, which found that customers aremost interested in sustainability factorsthat directly impact them,” said KatelinKennedy, senior manager of corporateresponsibility and sustainability atHilton Worldwide. “So as it relates toMeet With Purpose, Hilton is lookingthrough the program and consider-ing elements that directly impact theattendee experience.” .

Contributing Editor Greg Oates is a writer and
editor based in New York City.